Jeremy Matlow
Jeremy Matlow | |
|---|---|
| File:Commissioner Jeremy Matlow (2022).jpg Official photo, 2022 | |
| Member of the Tallahassee City Commission, Seat 3 | |
| Assumed office November 19, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Nancy Miller |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Jeremy Arthur Matlow January 17, 1985 Tallahassee, Florida, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Sarah Matlow |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Businessman, politician |
| Website | jeremymatlow |
Jeremy Arthur Matlow (born January 17, 1985) is an American businessman and politician serving as a Tallahassee City Commissioner for Seat 3 since 2018. A member of the Democratic Party, Matlow is a candidate in the 2026 Tallahassee mayoral election.
Early life and education
Matlow was raised on the south side of Tallahassee, Florida, by a single mother. He attended local public schools and graduated from Leon High School. After graduating, Matlow entered the workforce rather than pursuing a college education, later noting in interviews that he favored a non-traditional career path.[1]
Business career
In 2012, Matlow co-founded Gaines Street Pies, a local pizza restaurant chain in Tallahassee. The business eventually expanded to multiple locations across the city, including Warhorse Whiskey Bar.[2]
Prior to holding public office, Matlow served as the president of the Gaines Street Community Association and was a member of the City of Tallahassee Municipal Code Enforcement Board.[3]
Political career
Tallahassee City Commission (2018–present)
Matlow first ran for the Tallahassee City Commission in 2018, securing Seat 3 by narrowly defeating Lisa Brown with 51.5% of the vote in the November general election.[4][5] Four years later, in August 2022, he won a second term after capturing 55.7% of the vote to defeat challenger David Bellamy.[6][7]
On the commission, Matlow aligned closely with progressive populism. He frequently championed neighborhood advocacy groups, creating a public rift between his office and the local Chamber of Commerce alongside traditional development interests.[8][9]
His legislative focus centered tightly on government transparency,[10] local environmental preservation, and a staunch opposition to municipal tax hikes.[11] He consistently backed these priorities by fighting urban sprawl, notably voting against the multi-thousand-acre Welaunee Plantation expansion in 2020 and leading an effort to block the city's use of private Flock license plate surveillance cameras over privacy concerns.[12][13] He backed these priorities with several high-profile initiatives, including leading an effort to block the city's use of private Flock Safety license plate surveillance cameras over privacy concerns.[14] Matlow focused heavily on protecting the Lake Jackson watershed, repeatedly opposing high-density residential redevelopments and commercial rezonings within the lake's sensitive basin.[15] In June 2026, he also introduced a failed proposal to enact a zoning moratorium and permanent ban on large-scale AI data centers, arguing the facilities would strain local utilities and water supplies.[16]
2026 mayoral campaign
In September 2025, Matlow announced his candidacy for Mayor of Tallahassee in the 2026 election, opting not to seek re-election to his City Commission seat.[17] Following incumbent mayor John Dailey's decision not to seek another term, the race became an open contest.[18]
Matlow's mayoral campaign focused on affordable housing, reducing utility fees, expanding infrastructure to the city's south side, and campaign finance reform. His platform proposed building 500 municipal housing units, creating childcare facilities at City Hall and public parks, and expanding local infrastructure through new canopy roads, pedestrian trails, and community water features.[19] To support small businesses and retain young professionals, his platform proposed creating business incubator zones in Railroad Square and South City, streamlining city permitting, and expanding municipal backing for local arts, live music, and pedestrian walkability.[20]
In July 2026, Matlow's campaign manager resigned following media reports that she had created a fraudulent Facebook page targeting a local commission candidate.[21] Following the incident, Matlow denied knowledge of the fraudulent social media page, stating his campaign manager acted alone before apologizing and resigning from her post.[22]
The primary election, held on August 18, 2026, featured a competitive field including former state legislator Loranne Ausley and attorney Daryl Parks.
Personal life
Matlow is married to Sarah Matlow, with whom he has two sons. he resides in Tallahassee, where Matlow is an avid hiker and a frequent patron of the local arts and live music scenes.
Electoral history
2018
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Jeremy Matlow | 16,593 | 45.33 | |
| Nonpartisan | Lisa Brown | 15,191 | 41.50 | |
| Nonpartisan | Richard Garzola | 3,365 | 9.19 | |
| Nonpartisan | Bill Schack | 1,455 | 3.98 | |
| Total votes | 36,604 | 100.00 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Jeremy Matlow | 37,510 | 50.22 | |
| Nonpartisan | Lisa Brown | 37,183 | 49.78 | |
| Total votes | 74,693 | 100.00 | ||
2022
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nonpartisan | Jeremy Matlow | 20,994 | 55.79 | |
| Nonpartisan | David Bellamy | 16,634 | 44.21 | |
| Total votes | 37,628 | 100.00 | ||
References
- ↑ Williams, Alea (January 28, 2019). "Matlow brings local roots to City Commission". The FAMUAN. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ Waters, TaMaryn (May 21, 2018). "Gaines Street Pies-East opens restaurant on Tallahassee's northeast side". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
- ↑ Schweers, Jeffrey (December 1, 2017). "Gaines Street Pies owner files for City Commission". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
- ↑ Gaffney, Robbie (November 7, 2018). "Jeremy Matlow Wins City Commission Seat 3". WFSU News. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ Carbone, Mariel (November 13, 2018). "Leon County completes election recount, Matlow declared winner of city commission race". WCTV. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ Etters, Karl (August 23, 2026). "'Time to get back to work': Jeremy Matlow wins re-election against David Bellamy". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Jeremy Matlow holds on to Tallahassee City Commission seat". WCTV. August 24, 2022. Retrieved August 16, 2022.
- ↑ Hatfield, William L. (August 15, 2021). "'Evil men and their 12 trolls': State attorney blasts Jeremy Matlow at Tallahassee Chamber Conference". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved August 16, 2021.
- ↑ "'Evil men and their 12 trolls': State attorney blasts Jeremy Matlow at Tallahassee Chamber Conference". Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce. August 15, 2018. Retrieved August 16, 2018.
- ↑ DeLisa, Caden (February 22, 2023). "Meet the next generation of Florida Democrats". The Capitolist. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ Kirkland, Jordan (September 30, 2020). "Commissioner Jeremy Matlow announces bipartisan coalition to oppose property tax proposal". The Capitolist. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ Navarro, Chantelle (May 21, 2020). "Leon County commissioner speaks out against Welaunee Plantation expansion project". WTXL ABC 27. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ Hoffmann, Matt (December 16, 2025). "Tallahassee City Commission to receive briefing on controversial Flock cameras". WCTV. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ Hoffmann, Matt (December 16, 2026). "Tallahassee City Commission to receive briefing on controversial Flock cameras". WCTV. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ Barrera, Elena (July 14, 2026). "County unanimously objects to controversial Phipps land annexation". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ Waters, TaMaryn (June 11, 2026). "In 3-2 vote, Tallahassee commission rejects data center moratorium". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ Wood, Tristan (September 27, 2025). "Jeremy Matlow kicks off bid for Tallahassee Mayor with launch party". WFSU News. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ Wood, Tristan (August 11, 2025). "Tallahassee Mayor Dailey won't seek reelection. Commissioner Matlow says he's running for the job". WFSU News. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ Gowdy, Fabrizio (August 4, 2026). "Jeremy Matlow calls for transparency, eyes property tax rollback in bid for Tallahassee Mayor". Florida Politics. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ Wood, Tristan (July 23, 2026). "Jeremy Matlow talks Tallahassee mayoral bid on WFSU's Candidate Convos". WFSU News. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ Burlew, Jeff (July 24, 2026). "Political attack bombshell rocks Tallahassee city commission races". Tallahassee Democrat. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ Wood, Tristan (July 29, 2026). "Matlow responds to Parks' criticism over controversial Tallahassee Commission race post". WFSU News. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ "2018 Primary Election". Leon County Supervisor of Elections. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ "Election Report Summary" (PDF). Leon County Supervisor of Elections. August 22, 2023. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
- ↑ "2018 Primary Election". Leon County Supervisor of Elections. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
External links
- Official website
- Tallahassee City Commission Seat 3 profile at City of Tallahassee official website
- Jeremy Matlow at Ballotpedia
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